NBA owners to hold 1st discussions on Donald Sterling

NEW YORK — The NBA owners' advisory and finance committee will hold a meeting Thursday to discuss the next steps in the removal of Donald Sterling as owner of the Los Angeles Clippers.

The 10-member committee will have a conference call two days after Commissioner Adam Silver banned Sterling for life from the league and fined him $2.5 million for making racist comments. Silver also said he would urge owners to use their power to force Sterling to sell the team.

That would require the support of three-fourths of the league's owners in a vote. Silver said Tuesday during a news conference that he was confident he had the votes, which appears true given the numerous statements of support that were released by teams.